NGT’s new decision: All diesel vehicles more than 15-year-old in Delhi to be scrapped first

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal’s recent ruling over the ban on diesel vehicles that succeeded the 10-year bracket, has now been revised.

In its latest decision, the NGT has called for the deregistration of diesel vehicles that are older than 15-years.

This report may come as a relief to those whose vehicles came under the scanner for being 10-years-old or more, under the previous ruling.

NGT has issued a statement saying that, “All diesel vehicles which are more than 15-years-old and are BS-I, BS-II to be scrapped and no NOC will be issued.”

The NGT bench further stated, “We make it clear that de-registration of diesel vehicles shall be complied with effectively without any default. However, registration authorities are directed to start the process with reference to oldest vehicles first, that is, diesel vehicles which are 15-year-old should be de-registered first,” the bench said.

The bench also clarified that all deregistered vehicles which are less than 15 years old will not be allowed to ply in Delhi NCR and the authorities will issue No Objection Certificate (NOC) to them so that they can be registered in some other places where vehicle density is less.

The NGT asked the Delhi Government to take immediate steps to improve and strengthen public transport system and introduce buses which are CNG, hybrid or electric ones.

The bench had ordered the RTO of the Transport Department in Delhi, that after de-registration, it will issue public notice in this regard and supply the list of such vehicles to Delhi Traffic Police which will take appropriate steps in consonance with directions of the tribunal.

The tribunal had said that even during odd-even scheme initiated by the Delhi government, the ambient air quality did not improve and in fact, the parameters remained on the higher side more than the permissible limits.

It had passed the order after noting submissions of Delhi Police that it has made continuous attempts to stop vehicles which were more than 10 years old from plying on the roads of the national capital.